Fixture for holding ring gears



June 17, 1930. J. E. LOVELY FIXTURE FOR HOLDING RING GEARS 4Sheets-Sheet iywfizw ,ZTZ? away mm A a .7 I, i I M N\ nmw L L ml l w lsm LL.F Q A N y ,A s. .u. Q 1 EL? Q A E 5 m lmwf k w w y/ w x I w June17, 1930. J. E. LOVELY 1,764,026

FIXTURE FOR HOLDING RING GEARS Filed March 1, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i571ZawZy Me 5 W June 17, 1930. J; E. LOVELY FIXTURE FOR HOLDING RING GEARSI 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 1, 1924 June 17, 1930. LOVELY 1,764,026

FIXTURE FOR HOLDING RING GEARS Fil'e Mar h 1924 4 Sheets-sheet 4 m I Q gk x J W,

1 ll l1 Q I 'I W m Imp/W; LEMZ lfwag/ Patented June 17, 1930 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN E. LOVELY, OF SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT, ASSIGNORTO JONES & LAMSON MA- CHINE COMPANY, OI SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT, A.CORPORATION OF VERMONT FIXTURE FOB nonnfiie RING GEARS Application filedMarch 1, 1924. Serial No. 696,882.

In manufacturing ring gears such as are used for automobiles, it isimportant that accuracy shall be maintained within close limits, and oneobject of the present invention is to produce a fixture wherein this isreadily attainable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fixture of thepower-operated type in which power is not only used to hold the work inplace, but also for pushing it off.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference may be hadto the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an elevation of thefixture showing air-actuated mechanism therefor in section.

Figure 2 is an end elevation showing the relative positions of the toolsand carriers relative to the fixture in a lathe of the well known Faytype.

Figure 3 is a face view of a ring gear blank.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the fixtureshowing a gear blank in position thereon and the tools in operativerelation thereto, the section being taken along the line 44 of Figure 9.

Figures 5 and 6 are end and side elevations, respectively, of aretaining nut.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section similar to a portion of Figure 4, but along line8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the locating plate against which thegear blank is clamped.

Figure 10 is a perspective of the mating clamping member.

Figure 11 is a perspective of a centering sleeve or spider.

Referring to these figures, 1 indicates a sleeved spindle which carriesthe fixture and which is adapted to be rotated in a lathe by anysuitable means. For this purpose a gear 2 fixed to this spindle isillustrated in Figure 1. Within the spindle is positioned a taperedadjusting sleeve 3 within which is slidable a sleeve 4 having anoutwardly extending flange 5 at one end thereof which bears against thelarger end of the tapered sleeve 3. At the corresponding end of thespindle is .a ring 6 having externally threaded end portions 7 withwhich engages internal threads in'a collar 8 which has an inwardlyextending flange 9 at its inner end engaging the rear face of an annularrib 10 projecting outwardly at the outer end of the spindle. By thisconstruction the ring 6 may be clamped firmly against the end of thespindle to rotate therewith. The outer'end of the ring 6 is providedwith an inwardly extendmg flange 12 provided with threaded perforations13 for the reception of adjusting screws 14, each screw having a roundedend 15 engageable with the flange 5 by which the sleeves 3 and 4 may beadjusted axially within the spindle.

Within the sleeve 4 is slidable a plunger 20 having a portion 21 ofsomewhat reduced diameter formlng an annular shoulder 22. On thisportion 21 is keyed a sleeve 23 so that this sleeve must rotate with theplunger. At the inner end of this sleeve is positioned a spidercomprising a flange portion 24 (see Figure 11) having radial extensions25 thereon. The outer portion of these extensions s cut away on an areas at 26 to form centering means to engage freely within the centralopening of a ring gear or other annular work to support it verticallyand present it to the locating plate properly centered with relation tothe axis of rotation as will be described. The inner portions of theseextensions are 'formed as outwardlyextending lugs 27 which at certaintimes may bear against the inner face of the work to remove it fromclamped position as will later be described.

Surrounding the flange portion 24 and fixed to the end of the ring 6 isthe locating or supporting plate 30. This plate or member, as shown bestin Figure 9, is provided with a central circular aperture 31 andradially extending slots 32 positioned to receive the extensions 25 ofthe member 23 so that these members may be moved axially of each other.Between the slots 32 the 10- eating plate 30 is formed with thecounterbored holes 33 for the reception of screws 34 (see Figure 8) bywhich the plate 30 may be fixed to the outer face of the ring 6. Thereare also perforations 3.5 through this plate 30 for the reception ofpins 36 (see Figure 8) so spaced as to register with perforations in'thework as indicated in Figure 34at 37. The locating plate is also providedwith segmental extensions 38 which enter the central opening of the workpresented thereto by the spider portions 25 and 26 to hold the workproperly centered. At 40 is indicated. a clamping member comprising asleeve slidable and rotatable on the sleeve 23 and at the inner end ofthis sleeve is a. disk portion 41 of a diameter sufiicient to overlapthe inner portion of the work as indicated in Figures 4 and 8. This diskportion 41 will therefore serve as a clamping element which may beforced against the outer face of the work to hold it firmly against theouter face of the locating plate.

In order to hold it in proper position on the sleeve 23 and yet permitit to be readily removed to permit the work to be disengaged from thespindle, the plunger is provided with a reduced threaded extremity 45 oni which is threaded a nut 46. This nut 46, as

shown best in Figures 5 to 7, has a circular peripheral portion which issubstantially the diameter of the sleeve 23 and extending outwardly fromthis portion are a pair of lugs 47 extending 'beyond the periphery ofthe sleeve 23 when fixed in position. The sleeve 40 has a central bore48 of circular cross section slidable over the sleeve 23 and also hasextending from this bore slots 49 soshaped as to permit the lugs 47 ofthe nut 46 to slide readily therethrough. The nut being then in positionon the threaded extremity 45, the sleeve 40 may be placed in position onthe sleeve 23 by so turning this sleeve 40 that the slots 49 registerwith the lugs 47 whereupon the sleeve may be moved into position on thesleeve 23. By then turning the sleeve 40 relative to the nut 46, thelugs 47 may be brought out of axial registry with the slots 49, thuspreventing the sleeve 40 from being withdrawn. The nut 46 may also beemployed to fix the sleeve 23 in position. For this purpose a washer 50of any desired thickness may be positioned between the outer end of thsleeve 23 and the nut 46 so that when the nut 46 is screwed on as far asdesired the sleeve 23 is held between this washer and the shoulder 22.The nut 46 may be fixed in adjusted position on the threaded extensionby means of a set screw 51 (shown in Figure 4).

' The parts are so proportioned that the disk 41 of the clamp is spacedfrom the lug 27 of the spider or centering member 24 a greater distancethan the thickness of the work so that when the plunger is forcedaxially in a direction to remove the work from the locating plate 30, itis loosely held. The sleeve 40 and the disk 41 may then be turned byhand readily to bring the slots 49 in axial registry with the lugs 47 ofthe lug 46 in such position that the clamping member may be removed fromthe plunger and the work vtaken out. If desired the plunger may beprovided with oil grooves so that lubrication may be readily effectedbetween it and the sleeve 4 through whichit slides. For this purpose itis shown as provided with a central bore 60 communicating with radialoi]. grooves 61 leading to the inner face of the bearing sleeve 4.

In order to expedite the handling of the work this invention providespower means not only for clamping the work against the plate 30 for themachining operations, but also for removing the work out of contact withthis plate. It is for the latter purpose that the lugs 27 have beenprovided, these lugs being positioned on the same side of the work asthe locating plate 30 when the work is in position, as shown in Figure4. It is therefore evident that by pushing the plunger inwardly the workis clamped against the locating plate and that by pushing the plungeroutwardly these lugs contact I pose of moving the plunger in this mannerthe following mechanism may be employed. In Figure 1 a fluid pressuremechanism for this purpose has been illustrated. This fluid ressuremechanism comprises a power cyllnder carried at the rear end of a sleeve71 which is mounted to rotate with the spindle 1. The rear end of theplunger 20 has fixed thereto the forward end of-a rod 72 and this rodextends rearwardly through a stuffing box 73 in a cylinder head 74 andis fixed at its end to a piston 75 slidable within the cylinder 70. Therear end of the cylinder is closed off by a head 76 through whichextends a pipe 77. Outwardly of this pipe are ports 78 leading through asleeve 79 surrounding the pipe and communicating with ports 80 in thecylinder head 76 which lead to ports 81 in the cylinder head 74. Thesleeve 79 passes valve 92. Also leading to this control valve.

is a pressure supply pipe93 through which air under pressure may besupplied. A valve 92 may be of the four way type so that air may beadmitted from the pipe 93 to either of the pipes or 91 and the other beopened to the atmosphere out of communication with the pipe 93. When airis admitted tothe pipe 90 it passes through'the ports 78, 80 and 81 tothe forward face-of the piston which is thereupon driven rearwardly tobring the clamping member of the fixture toward the locating plate, toclamp the work there'- against. After the machining operations have beene'fiected, the valve 92 is turned to exhaust the air from the pipe 90and admit air to the pipe 91. This causes air to flow through the pipe77 to act on the rear face of the piston which is thereupon drivenforward and the plunger carrying the work is moved away from thelocating plate, the lugs 27 carrying the work therefrom as beforedescribed. v

For the purpose of illustration only this fixture is shown as applied toa lathe of the well known Fay type having two bars 95 and 96 (see Figure2) carrying tool holders 97 and 98 which are adapted to carry theseveral tools necessary or desirable to properly shape the exposedportions of the work as it is held in position on the locating plate. Ashere illustrated the work is represented by a ring gear blank 100 forwhich this machine has been particularly designed, though it should beevident that many other annular shaped pieces might be machined whilebeing held in this fixture in a similar manner.

Having thus described an embodiment of this invention it should beevident to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications might be made thereinwithout departing from its spirit orscope as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, comprising an annular locatingplate, and means movable in the direction of the length of the axisof'the opening in the plate to clamp annular work against said plate andto unclamp the work, said means including a member movable through theopening in the plate and adapted to contact with and remove the workfrom said plate during the unclamping movement.

2. A device of the class described comprising an annular locating plate,means for rotatin saidplate about its axis, a member movable axially ofsaid plate and on which annular work may be carried and pressed againstthe face of said plate, means engageable with said member on theopposite side of the work from said plate to clamp the work against saidplate on movement of said member in one direction, and means on saidmember engageable with the work on the same side with said plate andacting to remove the work therefrom on movement of said member in theopposite direction.

3. A device of the class described comprising a spindle, an annularlocating plate fixed to one end of said spindle and against which 'faceof the work to remove the same from the locating plate by movement ofsaid plunger in the opposite direction, and means for moving saidplunger.

4. A device of the class described comprising a sleeved spindle, aplunger axially movable through said spindle, a locating plate fixed toone end of said spindle, andthrough anopening in which said plungerextends, a

sleeve keyed to said plunger for receiving annular work and having aradial extension engageable with the. work on the same side as saidlocating plate, a sleeveslidable on said keyed sleeve and having aradially extending member engageable with the opposite face of the workto urge the work into clamping engagement with said locating plate,

means for retaining said slidable sleeve on said keyed sleeve, and fluidpressure actuated mechanism operable to move said sleeves in a directionto clamp the work against said plate and in the opposite direction toremove the work from said plate. a

5. A device of the class describedvcomprising a sleeved spindle, aplunger axially movable through said spindle, a locating plate fixed toone end of said spindle and through an opening in which said plungerextends, asupporting member carried by said plunger for receiving andvertically supporting annular work, a clamping member for the workhaving a bore engageable over said supporting member and having slotsextending from said bore, and a member carried by said plunger outwardlyof said clamping member and slidable in said bore and having lugsslidable in said slots whereby said clamping member may be held on saidsupporting mem- .ber by turning to bring said slots out of plate, aclamping member for the work hav-' ing a bore engageable over saidsupporting member and having slots extending. from said bore, a membercarried by said plunger outwardly of said clamping member and slidablein said bore and having lugs slidable in said slots whereby saidclamping member may be held on said supporting member by turning tobring said slots out of registry with said lugs, and means for movingsaid plunger to clamp work against said locating plate and to removework therefrom.

7. A. device of the class described comprisin a sleeved spindle, aplunger axially movab e through said spindle, a locating plate fixed toone end of said spindle and through an opening in which said plungerextends, a supporting member attached to said plunger for receiving andvertically supporting annular work, a clamping member for the workhaving an opening through which said plunger extends and having slotsextending from said opening, a member carried by said plunger outwardlyof said clamping member and having lugs slidable in said slots, wherebysaid clamping member may be held in said supporting member by turning tobring said slots out of registry with said lugs, and means for securingsaid member immovably to the plunger.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

JOHN E. LOVELY.

